Revising the Governing Rules Regulations of the Legislative Branch of the City of South Bend

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purposes of this article, parliamentary law shall mean the enacted rules and recognized usages which govern the procedure or legislative assemblies. (b) A majority of all the Councilmen shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Council. It shall require a majority vote of ali the Rgewbere-e4eet councilmen to pass an ordinance or resolution. Whenever by law it is required that any ordinance or resolution shall be passed by a two-thirds vote, such requirement shall be construed to mean a two-thirds vote of all councilmen. (c) No one not a member of Council shall be permitted to address the same, except upon invitation by the presiding officer or by a majroity vote of the Council. (d) No ordinance or resolution shall be received or considered by the Council unless it is presented by some member thereof or as provided by law. (e) Every motion made by any member of the Council and entertained by the presiding officer shall be reduced to writing on the demand of any member. (f) When a motion has been made, the presiding officer shall state it, or , if in writing, he shall cause it to be read aloud by the Clerk before being debated; and it shall then be in the possession of the Council, but may be withdrawn at any time before a decision or amendment. (g) Abstention: When in order to enact an ordinance, resolution or -motion, State law requires a majority of the -Council to vote "aye", the following procedures shall be applicable In calcu- lating said majority: (1) Only Councilmen who have disqualified them- selves on a matter due to a substantial conflict of Interest, or have disclosed fully the nature of their conflict of interest pursuant to the provisi-ons of this Chapter are entitled to an ab- stention. (2) Abstentions shall not be counted as either an "aye" or "nay" vote,. (h) kj� The presiding officer shall decide whether any question is carried by affirmative or a negative vote: but if he is in doubt, and the "ayes" and "nays" or a division be called for, the Council shall decide. In case of a rising vote, those voting in the affirmative shall first rise, and be counted, afterwards those voting in the negative. (i) kh)- When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received, but to adjourn, for the previous que.stion(which motion shall be decided without debate), to lay on the table, to postpone to a day certain, to refer, to amend, or to postpone indefinitely, which several motions shall have preference in the order in which they are here arranged. (j) ki-- The motion to adjourn and the motion to fix a time to which the Council shall adjourn shall always be in order, the latter motion taking precedence of the former. (k) k}� The motion to lay an amendment on the table shall not affect the subject which it is proposed to amend. =010